Into Thin Air: Death on Everest (1997)

Not quite the book but good!

Movie does a good job of capturing the suspense and tension of the tragedy on Everest. A limited setting (on the mountain) slows the pacing at times. My freshmen and sophomore students enjoyed the movie, but loved the book. It's unrated, but the material is suitable for high school students. A good supplement. November 3, 2008

Definitely made for TV

This movie does follow the story in the book pretty well, but definitely has a cheap, made for TV disaster movie feel to it. The women in the story contribute nothing except for the occasional cheesy scream of terror. I wouldn't say it was horrible, but not that great either. Certainly not something I'd watch twice. August 15, 2008

Compelling, moving - and very exciting!

I'm a non-mountaineer who has no desire ever to become one, but I found this film totally compelling and most moving. I defy anyone not to weep at the scene where Rob Hall speaks to his wife as he lies dying.

I have seen it three times now, and have read the book upon which it is based, and others. I appreciate that the film may be a partial view, based as it is on one man's account, and I agree that at times it can be confusing, but the story and action are so strong that they carry you through.

As most of the audience won't be expert mountaineers, and as anyone interested can find out as much as they like by reading the books, I think this film is an admirable success. July 31, 2008

Decent adjunct to the book

Saw this after reading the book and also seeing the PBS doc Storm Over Everest. It's a semi-cheesy tv movie, but does have some strengths, including some decent climbing scenes. It's funny to watch McDonald play Krakauer, as he's always the villain in so many B-movies. He does a good job as the author here, but the biases of the book are repeated and there are some overly sharp portraits drawn, especially of Fischer, who comes off as more of a jerk than in the book. Too much happened up there to squueze into 90 minutes of drama, seems like; this feels too compressed.
Worth seeing if you've read the book, otherwise the PBS doc is far superior. May 24, 2008

Save Your Money

This DVD is good as a coaster for your drink and not much else. The most charitable thing I can say about the acting in this is that I've seen cardboard more animated. Instead I'd suggest spending your time with the books Into Thin Air: A Personal Account of the Mt. Everest Disaster and The Climb: Tragic Ambitions on Everest and Everest to give yourself a good perspective on what happened during the 1996 climbing season. April 28, 2008

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